Got a quick CV question

[bibbitybobbitysantahat]

Or couple of questions, actually:

1. Are Personal Profiles considered naff nowadays and, if not, where on the cv should it go?

1. What on earth should I put on my personal profile, bearing in mind that I am looking to return to work after more or less 10 years off!?

1. Is it ok not to put one's date of birth on the cv? Surely the dates of my degree and a levels give an employer a close enough idea of my age?

Thanks all. Looks like I might be going for an interview on Wednesday, fingers crossed.

Hopeful bump ...

From a personal perspective of someone who reads CVs:

No to profiles, I find them really egocentric and a big turn off

I would never notice if age was on there or not

It depends what your personal profiles says. If it mentions your marriage, kids, kids ages and pets then NO. And under no circumstancwes dwell on why you've been a SAHM (if indeed you have). Employers aren't interested.
But if it's a neat summary of what you have to offer, then yes.

Ack my typos.

If you want to use a profile I'd target it very specifically towards the skills or experience needed in the job you are going for. Use concrete exmples from your career where possible

e.g. Over 5 years experience of project management within the pond-dipping industry ... I successfully increased frog spawn production by 30% over a 2 year period

Avoid using meaningless cliches e.g. 'enjoy working as part of team whilst also able to work under own initiative'

Age/ DoB - don't put it on a cv - it's not relevant to whether you have the skills for the job (nor is your marital status or where you went to nursery school)

As for how to cover your time as a sahm - depends a lot on the type of job you are going for, have you kept up to date with your sector? (read trade websites, articles etc?) have you been doing anything whilst at home that has helped develop useful work skills (mumsnet = computer skills, sainsbury's = budgeting, GPs and antenatal appointments = managing a diary and liaising with professionals). Any fundraising, volunteering - PTA? It can show organisation, planning etc etc

1. No, not in my view. Only to be used to give a brief summary of what you are offering and what you are looking for, and always tailored to the position you are applying for.

1. See above.

1. Of course. You should only have information on the cv that is relevant to getting the job. So your date of birth is irrelevant and takes up valuable space. Ditto to anything about your kids, your dog, your favourite colour, your hobbies (unless directly relevant, which they are usually not), and your GCSE in knitting, or whatever.